Transformable garment

ABSTRACT

Examples of a garment, such as a jacket, vest, or shirt, having an upper portion and a detachable lower portion are described. When detached, the lower portion can be transformed into an item having a different function such as that of a travel pillow, scarf, or hat. With the lower portion detached, the upper portion is transformed into a shorter length garment.

FIELD

This application relates to the field of apparel, and more specifically,to a garment such as a jacket, vest, shirt, or the like havingdetachable portions that may be used as another garment or for otherpurposes.

BACKGROUND

Consumers are demanding high performance activewear, sportswear, andouterwear. Currently, many such garments, such as jackets and vests, aredesigned to cover specific portions of the body of a wearer. If thewearer requires less or more coverage of their body, they typicallychange garments. This is especially so for winter garments that are wornfor protection against the cold and elements. For example, on colderdays, the wearer may require a garment that covers their upper and lowertorso and arms, such as a parka. On warmer days, the wearer may requirea garment that only covers their upper torso, such as a vest. At thesame time, wearers typically do not want to carry additional garmentswith them especially if they are engaged in stretching, exercising, orother athletic performance outdoors or indoors.

SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION

In one aspect, a garment, such as a jacket, vest, or shirt, having anupper portion and a detachable lower portion is provided. When detached,the lower portion can be transformed into an item having a differentfunction such as that of a travel pillow, scarf, or hat. With the lowerportion detached, the upper portion is transformed into a shorter lengthversion of the garment.

In addition to the aspects and embodiments described above, furtheraspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to thedrawings and study of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Throughout the drawings, reference numbers may be re-used to indicatecorrespondence between referenced elements. The drawings are provided toillustrate example embodiments described herein and are not intended tolimit the scope of the application. Sizes and relative positions ofelements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Forexample, the shapes of various elements and angles may be not drawn toscale, and some of these elements may be arbitrarily enlarged andpositioned to improve drawing legibility.

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an example garment having an upperportion with detachable sleeves and a detachable lower portion and withthe sleeves and the lower portion thereof shown in their respectiveattached positions.

FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a right side view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a left side view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view thereof.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a front view thereof showing the garment of FIG. 1 being wornby a wearer.

FIG. 8 is a front exploded view illustrating the example garment of FIG.1 with the sleeves and the lower portion thereof shown in theirrespective detached positions with respect to the upper portion.

FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating the example garment of FIG. 1 withthe lower portion detached and removed from the upper portion andshowing the example garment being worn by a wearer.

FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating the example garment of FIG. 1 withthe sleeves detached and removed from the upper portion and showing theexample garment being worn by a wearer.

FIG. 11 is a front view illustrating the example garment of FIG. 1 withboth the sleeves and the lower portion detached and removed from theupper portion and showing the example garment being worn by a wearer.

FIG. 12 is an inside front view illustrating the example garment of FIG.1 in an opened position (unsnapped), laid flat, and with the sleevesdetached and removed.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line A-A in FIG. 8illustrating a portion of the layers of the front, back, and sleevepanels of the example garment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line B-B in FIG. 8illustrating a portion of an armhole edge of the upper portion of theexample garment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line C-C in FIG. 8illustrating a portion of an armhole edge of a sleeve of the examplegarment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line D-D in FIG. 8illustrating a portion of a lower edge of the sleeve of the examplegarment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line E-E in FIG. 8illustrating a portion of a lower edge of the upper portion of theexample garment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line F-F in FIG. 8illustrating a portion of an upper edge of the lower portion of theexample garment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line G-G in FIG. 8illustrating a portion of a lower edge of the lower portion of theexample garment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 20 is an inside front view illustrating the lower portion of theexample garment of FIG. 1 in isolation, in an opened position(unsnapped), and laid flat.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view illustrating the lower portion ofFIG. 20 configured as a travel pillow.

FIG. 22 is a front view illustrating another example garment having anupper portion, a detachable middle portion, and a detachable lowerportion and with the middle portion and the lower portion thereof shownin their respective attached positions.

FIG. 23 is a rear view thereof.

FIG. 24 is a right side view thereof.

FIG. 25 is a left side view thereof.

FIG. 26 is a front perspective view thereof.

FIG. 27 is a rear perspective view thereof.

FIG. 28 is a front view thereof showing the garment of FIG. 22 beingworn by a wearer.

FIG. 29 is a front exploded view illustrating the example garment ofFIG. 22 with the middle portion and the lower portion thereof shown intheir respective detached positions with respect to the upper portion.

FIG. 30 is a front view illustrating the example garment of FIG. 22 withthe lower portion detached and removed from the middle portion andshowing the example garment being worn by a wearer.

FIG. 31 is a front view illustrating the example garment of FIG. 22 withboth the lower portion and the middle portion detached and removed fromthe upper portion and showing the example garment being worn by awearer.

FIG. 32 is an inside front view illustrating the example garment of FIG.22 in an opened position (unsnapped) and laid flat.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line H-H in FIG. 29illustrating a portion of a lower edge of the upper portion of theexample garment of FIG. 22 .

FIG. 34 is an inside front view illustrating the middle portion of theexample garment of FIG. 22 in isolation, in an opened position(unsnapped), and laid flat.

FIG. 35 is an outside rear view thereof.

FIG. 36 is a front perspective view illustrating the middle portion ofFIG. 34 configured as a travel pillow.

FIG. 37 is an inside front view illustrating the lower portion of FIG.22 in isolation, in an opened position (unsnapped), and laid flat.

FIG. 38 is an outside rear view thereof.

FIG. 39 is a front perspective view illustrating the lower portion ofFIG. 37 configured as a scarf.

FIG. 40 is a front view illustrating a further example garment having anupper portion and a detachable lower portion and with the lower portionthereof shown in its attached position.

FIG. 41 is a front view illustrating the lower portion of the examplegarment of FIG. 40 in isolation and configured as a hat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, details are set forth to provide anunderstanding of the application. In some instances, certain structures,techniques, and methods have not been described or shown in detail inorder not to obscure the application.

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating an example garment 100 having anupper portion 200 with detachable sleeves 300, 400 and a detachablelower portion 500 and with the sleeves 300, 400 and the lower portion500 thereof shown in their respective attached positions 301, 401, 501.FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof. FIG. 3 is a right side view thereof. FIG.4 is a left side view thereof. FIG. 5 is a front perspective viewthereof. FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view thereof. FIG. 7 is a frontview thereof showing the garment 100 of FIG. 1 being worn by a wearer5000 (e.g., a male wearer).

The garment 100 may be a jacket, coat, parka, or the like. As shown inFIGS. 1-7 , the garment (e.g., jacket) 100 has a front side 111, a backside 112, a first (e.g., right) side 113, a second (e.g., left) side114, an outside 115, an inside 116, an outer surface 117, and an innersurface 118.

The garment 100 includes: an upper portion 200; first (or right) andsecond (or left) detachable sleeves 300, 400 removably attached,connected, or fastened (e.g., zippered, snapped, buttoned, etc.) to theupper portion 200 at respective armhole openings 260, 270 of the upperportion 200; and, a lower portion 500 removably attached, connected, orfastened (e.g., zippered, snapped, buttoned, etc.) to the upper portion200 at the waist opening 280 of the upper portion 200. The sleeves 300,400 and lower portion 500 of the garment 100 are shown in respectiveattached positions 301, 401, 501 in FIGS. 1-7 .

In one embodiment, the upper portion 200 is for covering at least aportion of the torso 5020 of the wearer 5000, the sleeves 300, 400 arefor covering at least a portion of the respective arms 5030, 5040 of thewearer 5000, and the lower portion 500 is for covering at least aportion of the upper legs or thighs 5050, 5055 of the wearer 5000.

FIG. 8 is a front exploded view illustrating the example garment 100 ofFIG. 1 with the sleeves 300, 400 and the lower portion 500 thereof shownin their respective detached positions 302, 402, 502 with respect to theupper portion 200. FIG. 9 is a front view illustrating the examplegarment 100 of FIG. 1 with the lower portion 500 detached 502 andremoved from the upper portion 200 and showing the example garment 100being worn by a wearer 5000. FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating theexample garment 100 of FIG. 1 with the sleeves 300, 400 detached 302,402 and removed from the upper portion 200 and showing the examplegarment 100 being worn by a wearer 5000. And, FIG. 11 is a front viewillustrating the example garment 100 of FIG. 1 with both the sleeves300, 400 and the lower portion 500 detached 302, 402, 502 and removedfrom the upper portion 200 and showing the example garment 100 beingworn by a wearer 5000.

The upper portion 200 includes: first (or right) and second (or left)front panels (or fabric panels) 210, 220 openable and closable byoperation of one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) 251, 252such as one or more snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respectivesecond (or left) and first (or right) side edges 212, 221 of the firstand second front panels 210, 220; a back panel (or fabric panel) 230attached (e.g., connected, sewn, glued, bonded, coupled, joined, etc.)at first (or right) and second (or left) side edges 231, 232 torespective second (or left) and first (or right) side edges 222, 211 ofthe first and second front panels 210, 220; and, a collar 240 attachedto the upper edges 213, 223, 233 of the first front, second front, andback panels 210, 220, 230 (i.e., to the upper edge 205 of the upperportion 200). The lower edges 214, 224, 234 of the first front, secondfront, and back panels 210, 220, 230 form the lower edge 206 of theupper portion 200. FIGS. 9 and 10 show the fasteners 251, 252 of theupper portion 200 in their closed and opened positions 201, 202,respectively.

Each sleeve (e.g., 300) includes a sleeve panel (or fabric panel) 310having a first (or right) edge 311, a second (or left) edge 312, anupper (or shoulder) edge 313, and a lower (or cuff) edge 314. The firstand second edges 311, 312 of the sleeve panel 310 are attached to formthe tubular sleeve 300 having an arm opening 320 (defined by edge 313)and a hand opening 330 (defined by edge 314) with a cuff 340. The sleevepanel 310 and hence sleeve 300 may be elongate and tapered from theupper (or shoulder) edge 313 to the lower (or cuff) edge 314.

The upper edge (e.g., 313) of each sleeve (e.g., 300) may be removablyattached to the edge (e.g., 261) of the respective arm opening (e.g.,260) of the upper portion 200 of the garment 100. Each sleeve 300 isattachable and detachable from the upper portion 200 of the garment byoperation one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) (e.g., 351,352) such as one or more zippers, snaps, buttons, or the like attachedto respective edges 261, 313 of the upper portion 200 at the arm opening260 and the sleeve 300 at the arm opening 320.

The lower portion 500 includes: first (or right) and second (or left)front panels (or fabric panels) 510, 520 openable and closable byoperation of one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) 551, 552such as one or more snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respectivesecond (or left) and first (or right) side edges 512, 521 of the firstand second front panels 510, 520; and, a back panel (or fabric panel)530 attached (e.g., connected, sewn, glued, bonded, coupled, joined,etc.) at first (or right) and second (or left) side edges 531, 532 torespective second (or left) and first (or right) side edges 522, 511 ofthe first and second front panels 510, 520. The upper edges 513, 523,533 of the first front, second front, and back panels 510, 520, 530 formthe upper edge 505 of the lower portion 500. The lower edges 514, 524,534 of the first front, second front, and back panels 510, 520, 530 formthe lower edge 506 of the lower portion 500. FIGS. 8 and 10 show thefasteners 551, 552 of the lower portion 500 in their closed and openedpositions 503, 504, respectively.

The upper edge 505 of the lower portion 500 may be removably attached tothe lower edge 206 of the upper portion 200 of the garment 100. Thelower portion 500 is attachable and detachable from the upper portion200 of the garment 100 by operation one or more fasteners (e.g., matingfasteners, lower and upper fasteners, etc.) 553, 554 such as one or morezippers, snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respective edges 206,505 of the upper portion 200 at the waist opening 280 and the lowerportion 500 at the waist opening 580.

FIG. 12 is an inside front view illustrating the example garment 100 ofFIG. 1 in an opened position (unsnapped) 202, laid flat, and with thesleeves 300, 400 detached and removed. And, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectionaldetail view taken along line A-A in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of thelayers 1300 of the front, back, and sleeve panels 210, 220, 230, 510,520, 530, 310 of the example garment 100 of FIG. 1 .

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13 , the front, back, and sleevepanels 210, 220, 230, 510, 520, 530, 310 of the garment 100 may includemultiple layers 1300 as follows (from outer surface 117 to inner surface118 of the garment 100): an outer layer (or self) 1310; an outer bafflelayer 1320, an insulation layer 1330, an inner baffle layer 1340, andinner lining layer (or liner) 1350. The outer layer 1310 may be madefrom, for example, a durable water repellent (“DWR”), non-PFC,downproof, 66 gsm, Glyde Power Stretch™ or SoftMatte™ fabric. Theinsulation layer (or insulation) 1330 may be made from or consist of,for example, 80% goose down and 20% goose feathers. Underarm areas andedgings (e.g., 1400) may use a lighter (e.g., thinner, etc.) insulation1331 such as, for example, PrimaLoft™ 40 g. The liner 1350 may be madefrom, for example, DWR, non-PFC, downproof, 56 gsm, Glyde 1L™ fabric.The baffle layers 1320, 1340, quilting lines (e.g., 1360), and/orstitching (e.g., 1370) help to keep the insulation 1330 in place. Thequilting lines 1360 may pass through all layers 1310, 1320, 1330, 1340except for the liner 1350.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line B-B in FIG. 8illustrating a portion of an armhole edge 261 of the upper portion 200of the example garment 100 of FIG. 1 . And, FIG. 15 is a cross-sectionaldetail view taken along line C-C in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of anarmhole edge 313 of a sleeve (e.g., 300) of the example garment 100 ofFIG. 1 .

In one embodiment, to conceal (or partially conceal) the fastener 351(e.g., zipper) at the edge 261 of the arm opening 260 when the sleeve300 is detached 302, the armhole edge 261 of the upper portion 200 mayinclude an edging 1400 that overlaps the fastener 351. To improveinsulation at the fastener 351, 352 when the sleeve 300 is attached 301,the upper edge 313 of the sleeve 300 may include an edging 1430 thatunderlies the fastener 352. When the sleeve 300 is attached, the edgings1400, 1430 encase the fastener 351, 352. The thickness and/or type ofinsulation 1331 used in the edgings 1400, 1430 may be different (e.g.,reduced, etc.) than the insulation 1330 used in the panels (e.g., 210,220) of the garment 100 as described above.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line D-D in FIG. 8illustrating a portion of a lower edge (e.g., 314) of the sleeve (e.g.,300) of the example garment 100 of FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, the loweredge 314 (or cuff) of the sleeve 300 may have a roll over hem 1450 typeconstruction.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line E-E in FIG. 8illustrating a portion of a lower edge 206 of the upper portion 200 ofthe example garment 100 of FIG. 1 . And, FIG. 18 is a cross-sectionaldetail view taken along line F-F in FIG. 8 illustrating a portion of anupper edge 505 of the lower portion 500 of the example garment 100 ofFIG. 1 .

In one embodiment, to conceal (or partially conceal) the fastener 553(e.g., zipper) at the lower edge 206 of the waist opening 280 of theupper portion 200 when the lower portion 500 is detached 502, the loweredge 206 of the upper portion 200 may include an facing (or edging) 1470that overlaps the fastener 553 on the inner surface 118 of the upperportion 200. To improve insulation at the fastener 553, 554 when thelower portion 500 is attached 501, the upper edge 505 of the lowerportion 500 may be tapered 1490 to fit into the channel 1480 formedbetween the facing 1470 and inner surface 118 of the upper portion 200.When the lower portion 500 is attached, the facing 1470 and innersurface 118 of the upper portion 200 encase the tapered upper edge 505of the lower portion 500. The thickness and/or type of insulation 1331used in the facing 1470 may be different (e.g., reduced, etc.) than theinsulation 1330 used in the panels (e.g., 210, 220) of the garment 100as described above.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line G-G in FIG. 8illustrating a portion of a lower edge 506 of the lower portion 500 ofthe example garment 100 of FIG. 1 . In one embodiment, the lower edge506 (or hem) of the lower portion 500 may have a roll over hem 1495 typeconstruction.

FIG. 20 is an inside front view illustrating the lower portion 500 ofthe example garment 100 of FIG. 1 in isolation (i.e., detached 502 fromthe upper portion 200), in an opened position (e.g., unsnapped) 504, andlaid flat. And, FIG. 21 is a front perspective view illustrating thelower portion 500 of FIG. 20 configured as a travel pillow 2100.

In one embodiment, the back panel 530 of the lower portion 500 may havea pocket 600 formed therein. The pocket 600 may have a pocket bag 610and a pocket opening 640 into the pocket bag 610. The pocket bag 610 mayhave a first pocket panel 620 and a second pocket panel 630, the firstand second pocket panels 620, 630 being attached along respective second(or left), upper, and lower edges 622, 632, 623, 633, 624, 634 andunattached along the first (or right) edges 621, 631, the unattachedfirst edges 621, 631 defining the pocket opening 640. The pocket bag 610may extend into the space between the inner baffle 1340 and liner 1350of the back portion 530 (see FIG. 13 ). The first pocket edges 621, 631at the pocket opening 640 are attached to respective first (or right)and second (or left) edges 571, 572 of a slit or opening 570 formed inthe liner 1350 of the back panel 530. The pocket opening 640 may extend(e.g., vertically or approximately vertically) from proximate the topedge 533 to proximate the bottom edge 534 of the back panel 530 and maybe located proximate to the second (or left) edge 532 of the back panel530. Of course, the pocket 600 may be located at other positions on thelower portion 500.

In addition, the pocket 600 has one or more fasteners (e.g., matingfasteners) 653, 654 such as one or more zippers (e.g., having inner andouter facing pulls), snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respectivefirst and second pocket edges 621, 631 of the pocket bag 610 at thepocket opening 640. The pocket opening 640 is openable and closable byoperation of the one or more fasteners 653, 654. In particular, thepocket opening 640 is moveable from a closed position 641 to an openedposition 642, and vise versa, by unfastening and fastening the one ormore fasteners 653, 654, respectively.

The pocket bag 610 has an inside 615 and an inner surface 616 formed bythe inner surfaces 625, 635 of the first and second pocket panels 620,630 and an outside 617 and outer surface 618 formed by the outersurfaces 626, 636 of the first and second pocket panels 620, 630.

The pocket opening 640 is sized to receive items such as hats, gloves,wallets, etc., for storage within the pocket bag 610 of the pocket 600.

In addition, the pocket 600 is reversible and may be used to store thelower portion 500 of the garment 100 when unattached 502 from the upperportion 200. When stored in the pocket 600, the lower portion 500 may beused as a travel pillow 2100. In FIG. 20 , the pocket bag 610 is shownin a nominal right-side-out (or outside-out) position or configuration611. In FIG. 21 , the pocket bag 610 is shown in a nominal inside-outposition or configuration 612.

When right-side-out 611, as described above, the pocket bag 610 has aninside 615 and an inner surface 616 formed by the inner surfaces 625,635 of the first and second pocket panels 620, 630 and an outside 617and outer surface 618 formed by the outer surfaces 626, 636 of the firstand second pocket panels 620, 630. When inside-out 612, the inside 615and the inner surface 616 of the pocket bag 610 form the outside andouter surface of the pocket bag 610, respectively, and the outside 617and outer surface 618 of the pocket bag 610 form the inside and innersurface of the pocket bag 610, respectively.

When in the opened position 642, the pocket bag 610 in itsright-side-out position 611 may be pulled out of the pocket opening 640to its inside-out position 612. In the inside-out position 612, thepocket opening 640 is sized to receive the lower portion 500 of thegarment 100 which may be stuffed and worked into the pocket bag 610. Thepocket opening 640 may then be moved to the closed position 641 byfastening the one or more fasteners 653, 654. In one embodiment, asmentioned above, the one or more fasteners 653, 654 may be a zipperhaving both outside and inside facing pulls 655, 656.

As described above, the example garment 100 of FIG. 1 is transformable(or reconfigurable or repurposable). When both the sleeves 300, 400 andthe lower portion 500 are attached 301, 401, 501 to the upper portion200, the garment 100 is a full-length jacket (see FIG. 7 ). When thelower portion 500 is detached 502 from the upper portion 200, thegarment 100 is transformed into a regular-length jacket (see FIG. 9 ).When the sleeves 300, 400 are detached 302, 402 from the upper portion200, the garment 100 is transformed into a full-length vest (see FIG. 10). When both the sleeves 300, 400 and the lower portion 500 are detached302, 402, 502 from the upper portion 200, the garment 1000 istransformed into a regular-length vest (see FIG. 11 ). And, whendetached, the lower portion 500 may be transformed into a travel pillow2100 (see FIG. 21 ).

FIG. 22 is a front view illustrating another example garment 1000 havingan upper portion 1200, a detachable middle portion (or lower portion)1700, and a detachable lower portion (or additional lower portion) 1800and with the middle portion 1700 and the lower portion 1800 thereofshown in their respective attached positions 1701, 1801. FIG. 23 is arear view thereof. FIG. 24 is a right side view thereof. FIG. 25 is aleft side view thereof. FIG. 26 is a front perspective view thereof.FIG. 27 is a rear perspective view thereof. And, FIG. 28 is a front viewthereof showing the garment 1000 of FIG. 22 being worn by a wearer 6000(e.g., a female wearer).

The garment 1000 may be a vest, parka, or the like. As shown in FIGS.22-28 , the garment (e.g., vest) 1000 has a front side 1111, a back side1112, a first (e.g., right) side 1113, a second (e.g., left) side 1114,an outside 1115, an inside 1116, an outer surface 1117, and an innersurface 1118.

The garment 1000 includes: an upper portion 1200; a middle portion 1700removably attached, connected, or fastened (e.g., zippered, snapped,buttoned, etc.) to the upper portion 1200 at the waist opening 1280 ofthe upper portion 1200; and, a lower portion 1800 removably attached,connected, or fastened (e.g., zippered, snapped, buttoned, etc.) to themiddle portion 1700 at the upper thigh opening 1790 of the middleportion 1700. The middle portion 1700 and the lower portion 1800 of thegarment 1000 are shown in respective attached positions 1701, 1801 inFIGS. 22-28 .

In one embodiment, the upper portion 1200 is for covering at least aportion of the upper torso 6020 of the wearer 6000, the middle portion1700 is for covering at least a portion of the lower torso 6030 andupper thighs 6050, 6055 of the wearer 6000, and the lower portion 1800is for covering at least a portion of the lower thighs 6060, 6065 of thewearer 6000.

FIG. 29 is a front exploded view illustrating the example garment 1000of FIG. 22 with the middle portion 1700 and the lower portion 1800thereof shown in their respective detached positions 1702, 1802 withrespect to the upper portion 1200. FIG. 30 is a front view illustratingthe example garment 1000 of FIG. 22 with the lower portion 1800 detached1802 and removed from the middle portion 1700 and showing the examplegarment 1000 being worn by a wearer 6000. And, FIG. 31 is a front viewillustrating the example garment 1000 of FIG. 22 with both the middleportion 1700 and the lower portion 1800 detached 1702, 1802 and removedfrom the upper portion 1200 and showing the example garment 1000 beingworn by a wearer 6000.

The upper portion 1200 includes: first (or right) and second (or left)front panels (or fabric panels) 1210, 1220 openable and closable byoperation of one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) 1251, 1252such as one or more snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respectivesecond (or left) and first (or right) side edges 1212, 1221 of the firstand second front panels 1210, 1220; a back panel (or fabric panel) 1230attached (e.g., connected, sewn, glued, bonded, coupled, joined, etc.)at first (or right) and second (or left) side edges 1231, 1232 torespective second (or left) and first (or right) side edges 1222, 1211of the first and second front panels 1210, 1220; and, a collar 1240attached to the upper edges 1213, 1223, 1233 of the first front, secondfront, and back panels 1210, 1220, 1230 (i.e., to the upper edge 1205 ofthe upper portion 1200). The lower edges 1214, 1224, 1234 of the firstfront, second front, and back panels 1210, 1220, 1230 form the loweredge 1206 of the upper portion 1200. FIGS. 29 and 28 show the fasteners1251, 1252 of the upper portion 1200 in their closed and openedpositions 1201, 1202, respectively.

The middle portion 1700 includes: first (or right) and second (or left)front panels (or fabric panels) 1710, 1720 openable and closable byoperation of one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) 1751, 1752such as one or more snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respectivesecond (or left) and first (or right) side edges 1712, 1721 of the firstand second front panels 1710, 1720; and, a back panel (or fabric panel)1730 attached (e.g., connected, sewn, glued, bonded, coupled, joined,etc.) at first (or right) and second (or left) side edges 1731, 1732 torespective second (or left) and first (or right) side edges 1722, 1711of the first and second front panels 1710, 1720. The upper edges 1713,1723, 1733 of the first front, second front, and back panels 1710, 1720,1730 form the upper edge 1705 of the middle portion 1700. The loweredges 1714, 1724, 1734 of the first front, second front, and back panels1710, 1720, 1730 form the lower edge 1706 of the middle portion 1700.FIGS. 22 and 29 show the fasteners 1751, 1752 of the middle portion 1700in their closed and opened positions 1703, 1704, respectively.

The upper edge 1705 of the middle portion 1700 may be removably attachedto the lower edge 1206 of the upper portion 1200 of the garment 1000.The middle portion 1700 is attachable and detachable from the upperportion 1200 of the garment 1000 by operation one or more fasteners(e.g., mating fasteners, upper and lower fasteners, etc.) 1753, 1754such as one or more zippers, snaps, buttons, or the like attached torespective edges 1206, 1705 of the upper portion 1200 at the waistopening 1280 and the middle portion 1700 at the waist opening 1780.

The lower portion 1800 includes: first (or right) and second (or left)front panels (or fabric panels) 1810, 1820 openable and closable byoperation of one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) 1851, 1852such as one or more snaps, buttons, or the like attached to respectivesecond (or left) and first (or right) side edges 1812, 1821 of the firstand second front panels 1810, 1820; and, a back panel (or fabric panel)1830 attached (e.g., connected, sewn, glued, bonded, coupled, joined,etc.) at first (or right) and second (or left) side edges 1831, 1832 torespective second (or left) and first (or right) side edges 1822, 1811of the first and second front panels 1810, 1820. The upper edges 1813,1823, 1833 of the first front, second front, and back panels 1810, 1820,1830 form the upper edge 1805 of the lower portion 1800. The lower edges1814, 1824, 1834 of the first front, second front, and back panels 1810,1820, 1830 form the lower edge 1806 of the lower portion 1800. FIGS. 22and 29 show the fasteners 1851, 1852 of the lower portion 1800 in theirclosed and opened positions 1803, 1804, respectively.

The upper edge 1805 of the lower portion 1800 may be removably attachedto the lower edge 1706 of the middle portion 1700 of the garment 1000.The lower portion 1800 is attachable and detachable from the middleportion 1700 of the garment 1000 by operation one or more fasteners(e.g., mating fasteners) 1853, 1854 such as one or more zippers, snaps,buttons, or the like attached to respective edges 1706, 1805 of themiddle portion 1700 at the upper thigh opening 1790 and the lowerportion 1800 at the upper thigh opening 1890.

FIG. 32 is an inside front view illustrating the example garment 1000 ofFIG. 22 in an opened position (unsnapped) 1202 and laid flat. The layers1300 of the garment 1000 may be similar to those of the garment 100 ofFIG. 1 as shown in FIG. 13 .

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional detail view taken along line H-H in FIG. 29illustrating a portion of a lower edge 1206 of the upper portion 1200 ofthe example garment 1000 of FIG. 22 .

In one embodiment, to conceal (or partially conceal) the fastener 1753(e.g., zipper) at the lower edge 1206 of the waist opening 1280 of theupper portion 1200 when the middle portion 1700 is detached 1702, thelower edge 1206 of the upper portion 1200 may include an facing (oredging) 3300 that overlaps the fastener 1753 on the inner surface 1118of the upper portion 1200. To improve insulation at the fastener 1753,1754 when the middle portion 1700 is attached 1701, the upper edge 1705of the middle portion 1700 may be tapered 1490 (similar to theconstruction shown in FIG. 18 ) to fit into the channel 3310 formedbetween the facing 3300 and inner surface 1118 of the upper portion1200. When the middle portion 1700 is attached, the facing 3300 andinner surface 1118 of the upper portion 1200 encase the tapered upperedge 1705 of the middle portion 1700. The thickness and/or type ofinsulation 1331 used in the facing 3300 may be different (e.g., reduced,etc.) than the insulation 1330 used in the panels (e.g., 1210, 1220) ofthe garment 1000 as described above.

The lower edge 1706 of the middle portion 1700 and the upper edge 1805of the lower portion 1800 may have similar respective constructions.

FIG. 34 is an inside front view illustrating the middle portion 1700 ofthe example garment 1000 of FIG. 22 in isolation (i.e., detached 1702,1802 from the upper portion 1200 and the lower portion 1800), in anopened position (e.g., unsnapped) 1704, and laid flat. FIG. 35 is anoutside rear view thereof. And, FIG. 36 is a front perspective viewillustrating the middle portion 1700 of FIG. 34 configured as a travelpillow 3600.

In one embodiment, the back panel 1730 of the middle portion 1700 mayhave a pocket 600 formed therein. The pocket 600 may be similar inconstruction and operation to that of the example garment 100 of FIG. 1described above. When stored in the pocket 600, the middle portion 1700may be used as a travel pillow 3600.

FIG. 37 is an inside front view illustrating the lower portion 1800 ofthe example garment 1000 of FIG. 22 in isolation (i.e., detached 1802from the middle portion 1700), in an opened position (e.g., unsnapped)1804, and laid flat. FIG. 38 is an outside rear view thereof. And, FIG.39 is a front perspective view illustrating the lower portion 1800 ofFIG. 37 configured as a scarf 3900.

In one embodiment, the first (or right) panel 1810 of the lower portion1800 may have a scarf through-hole, slit, or opening 1900 formedtherein. The scarf opening 1900 may pass through the first panel 1810from the outer surface 1117 to the inner surface 1118. The scarf opening1900 is defined by first (or upper) and second (or lower) edges 1910,1920 internal to the first panel 1810. The scarf opening 1900 may extend(e.g., horizontally or approximately horizontally) from proximate thefirst edge 1811 to proximate the midpoint (or approximately themidpoint) 1815 between the first edge 1811 and the second edge 1812 ofthe first panel 1810 and may be located proximate the midpoint (orapproximately the midpoint) 1816 between the upper edge 1813 and thelower edge 1814 of the first panel 1810. Of course, the scarf opening1900 may be located at other positions on the lower portion 1800.

The first and second edges 1910, 1920 of the scarf opening 1900 have oneor more respective fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners) 1953, 1954 such asone or more zippers, snaps, button, or the like attached thereto. Thescarf opening 1900 is openable and closeable by operation of the one ormore fasteners 1953, 1954. In particular, the scarf opening 1900 ismoveable from a closed position 1941 to an opened position 1942, andvice vera, by unfastening and fastening the one or more fasteners 1953,1954, respectively. FIGS. 38 and 39 show the scarf opening 1900 in itsclosed and opened positions 1941, 1942, respectively.

The lower portion 1800 may be used as a scarf 3900 by draping orwrapping the lower portion 1800 lengthwise about the neck 6070 of thewearer 6000. When in the opened position 1942, the scarf opening 1900 issized to receive at least a portion of the second (or left) panel 1820of the lower portion 1800. In particular, when worn about the neck 6070,the first (or right) edge 1821 of the second panel 1820 and desiredportions of the first panel 1810 and back panel 1830 extendinglengthwise therefrom may be stuffed and worked through the scarf opening1900 so as to secure the lower portion 1800 about the neck 6090 of thewearer 6000.

The presence of the scarf opening 1900 may be concealed (or partiallyconcealed) by positioning the scarf opening 1900 over or proximate to ahorizontal (or approximately horizontal) quilting line (e.g., 1360) ofthe lower portion 1800.

In one embodiment, the lower portion 1800 may include a pocket 600formed therein. The pocket 600 may be similar in construction andoperation to that of the example garment 100 of FIG. 1 described above.The pocket 600 may be used to store the lower portion 1800.Alternatively, when stored in the pocket 600, the lower portion 1800 maybe used as a second travel pillow 3600.

In one embodiment, the middle portion 1700 may be configured as a scarf3900 and the lower portion 1800 may be configured as a travel pillow3600.

In one embodiment, the example garment 1000 may include one or moreadditional middle and/or lower portions 700, 1880 (appropriatelyconfigured as described above).

As described above, the example garment 1000 of FIG. 22 is transformable(or reconfigurable or repurposable). When both the lower and middleportions 1700, 1800 are attached 1701, 1801 to the upper portion 1200,the garment 1000 is a full-length vest (see FIG. 28 ). When the lowerportion 1800 is detached 1802 from the upper and middle portions 1200,1700, the garment 1000 is transformed into a mid-length vest (see FIG.30 ). When both the lower and middle portions 1700, 1800 are detached1702, 1802 from the upper portion 1200, the garment 1000 is transformedinto a regular-length or cropped vest (see FIG. 31 ). When detached, themiddle portion 1700 may be transformed into a travel pillow 3600 (seeFIG. 36 ). And, when detached, the lower portion 1800 may be transformedinto a scarf 3900 (see FIG. 39 ).

FIG. 40 is a front view illustrating a further example garment 2000having an upper portion 2200 and a detachable lower portion 2500 andwith the lower portion 2500 thereof shown in its attached 2501 position.And, FIG. 41 is a front view illustrating the lower portion 2500 of theexample garment 2000 of FIG. 40 in isolation (i.e., detached 2502 fromthe upper portion 2200) and configured as a hat 4100. In FIG. 40 , thegarment 2000 is being worn by a wearer 7000 (e.g., a female wearer). Thegarment 2000 may be a shirt, t-shirt, tank top, blouse, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 40-41 , the garment (e.g., t-shirt) 2000 has a frontside 2111, a back side 2112, a first (e.g., right) side 2113, a second(e.g., left) side 2114, an outside 2115, an inside 2116, an outersurface 2117, and an inner surface 2118.

The garment 2000 includes: an upper portion 2200; and, a lower portion2500 removably attached, connected, or fastened (e.g., zippered,snapped, buttoned, etc.) to the upper portion 2200 at the waist opening2280 of the upper portion 2200. The lower portion 2500 of the garment2000 is shown in its attached position 2501 in FIG. 40 .

In one embodiment, the upper portion 2200 is for covering at least aportion of the upper torso 7020 of the wearer 7000 and the lower portion2500 is for covering at least a portion of the lower torso 7030 of thewearer 7000.

The lower portion 2500 includes: a front panel (or fabric panel) 2510;and, a back panel (or fabric panel) 2520 attached (e.g., connected,sewn, glued, bonded, coupled, joined, etc.) at first (or right) andsecond (or left) side edges 2521, 2522 to respective second (or left)and first (or right) side edges 2512, 2511 of the front panel 2510. Theupper edges 2513, 2523 of the front and back panels 2510, 2520 form theupper edge 2505 of the lower portion 2500. The lower edges 2514, 2524 ofthe front and back panels 2510, 2520 form the lower edge 2506 of thelower portion 2500.

The upper edge 2505 of the lower portion 2500 may be removably attachedto the lower edge 2206 of the upper portion 2200 of the garment 2000.The lower portion 2500 is attachable and detachable from the upperportion 2200 of the garment 2000 by operation of one or more fasteners(e.g., mating fasteners, upper and lower fasteners, etc.) 2553, 2554such as one or more zippers, snaps, buttons, or the like attached torespective edges 2206, 2505 of the upper portion 2200 at the waistopening 2280 and the lower portion 2500 at the waist opening 2580.

In one embodiment, the upper and lower edges 2505, 2506 of the lowerportion 2500 may have respective upper and lower hems 2551, 2552 formedthereat for enclosing respective upper and lower drawstrings 2555, 2556for opening and closing, adjusting the size, and/or adjusting the shapeof the respective waist opening 2580 and lower torso opening 2590 of thelower portion 2500. In addition, the outer surface 2117 of the lowerportion 2500 may have one or more fasteners (e.g., mating fasteners)2553, 2554 such as one or more zippers, snaps, buttons, or the likeattached thereto for adjusting the shape of the lower portion 2500 by,for example, drawing respective side edges 2511, 2512 of the front panel2510 of the lower portion 2500 closer together.

The lower portion 2500 may be used as a hat, cap, of the like 4100 bytightening the upper drawstring 2553 to close the waist opening 2580 toform the crown 4110 of the hat 4100, tightening the lower drawstring2554 to size the lower torso opening 2590 to form the band 4120 of thehat 4100, selectively opening or closing the one or more fasteners 2553,2554 to adjust the shape or crown shape 4130 of the hat 4100, and thenputting the hat 4100 on the wearer's head 7020.

As described above, the example garment 2000 of FIG. 40 is transformable(or reconfigurable or repurposable). When the lower portion 2500 isattached 2501 to the upper portion 2000, the garment 2500 is afull-length t-shirt (see FIG. 40 ). When the lower portion 2500 isdetached 2502 from the upper portion 2000, the garment 2500 istransformed into a cropped t-shirt. And, when detached 2502, the lowerportion 2500 may be transformed into a hat 4100 (see FIG. 41 ).

In operation, a wearer (or user) 5000, 6000, 7000 may transform thegarment 100, 1000, 2000 into a shorter length version of the garment100, 1000, 2000 by detaching (e.g., unzipping, etc.) one or more lowerportions 500, 1700, 1800, 2500 of the garment 100, 1000, 2000 from theupper portion 200, 1200, 2200. The detached lower portions 500, 1700,1800, 2500 can then be transformed into items such as travel pillows2100, 3600, (e.g., by packing the lower portion 500, 1700 into a pocket600 formed in the lower portion 500, 1700), scarves 3900, (e.g., bypassing one end 1821 of the lower portion 1800 through an opening orslit 1900 formed proximate the other end 1812 of the lower portion1800), or hats 4100. (e.g., by adjusting drawstrings 2555, 2556 at theupper and lower edges 2505, 2506 of the lower portion 2500). In somecases, the wearer 5000, 6000, 7000 may attach and/or detach a lowerportion 500, 1700, 1800, 2500 when the garment 100, 1000, 2000 is beingworn (i.e., without taking the garment 100, 1000, 2000 off).

Advantageously, the detachable lower portions 500, 1700, 1800, 2500 ofthe example garments 100, 1000, 2000 allow a wearer 5000, 6000, 7000 toeasily transform (or reconfigure, repurpose, convert, etc.) the garment100, 1000, 2000 into a shorter length and/or sleeveless garment and toeasily transform (or reconfigure, repurpose, convert, etc.) the detachedlower portions 500, 1700, 1800, 2500 into items having new or differentuses or functions such as travel pillows 2100, 3600, scarves 3900, orhats 4100. This allows the wearer 5000, 6000, 7000 to continue to wearthe garment 100 when weather conditions change (e.g., the temperaturerises, etc.) or when the wearer 5000, 6000, 7000 desires a differentlook. Rather than simply carrying or storing the detached lower portions500, 1700, 1800, 2500, these portions can be used when the wearer is intransit 5000, 6000, 7000 and can be attached to the garment 100, 1000,2000 again when desired (e.g., when weather conditions change, when anew look is desired, etc.).

While particular elements, embodiments and applications of the presentapplication have been shown and described, it will be understood, thatthe scope of the application is not limited thereto, since modificationscan be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeof the present application, particularly in light of the foregoingteachings. Thus, for example, in any method or process disclosed herein,the acts or operations making up the method/process may be performed inany suitable sequence and are not necessarily limited to any particulardisclosed sequence. Elements and components can be configured orarranged differently, combined, and/or eliminated in variousembodiments. The various features and processes described above may beused independently of one another, or may be combined in various ways.All possible combinations and subcombinations are intended to fallwithin the scope of this application. Reference throughout thisdisclosure to “some embodiments,” “an embodiment,” or the like, meansthat a particular feature, structure, step, process, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in some embodiments,” “inan embodiment,” or the like, throughout this application are notnecessarily all referring to the same embodiment and may refer to one ormore of the same or different embodiments. Indeed, the novel methods andsystems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms;furthermore, various omissions, additions, substitutions, equivalents,rearrangements, and changes in the form of the embodiments describedherein may be made without departing from the spirit of the application.

Various aspects and advantages of the embodiments have been describedwhere appropriate. It is to be understood that not necessarily all suchaspects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particularembodiment. Thus, for example, it should be recognized that the variousembodiments may be carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizesone advantage or group of advantages as taught herein withoutnecessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as may be taught orsuggested herein.

Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,”“might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically statedotherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, isgenerally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, whileother embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/orsteps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended toimply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required forone or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without operator input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment. No single feature or group offeatures is required for or indispensable to any particular embodiment.The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like aresynonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and donot exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and soforth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not inits exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a listof elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements inthe list.

Any example calculations, simulations, results, graphs, values, andparameters of the embodiments described herein are intended toillustrate and not to limit the disclosed embodiments. Other embodimentscan be configured and/or operated differently than the illustrativeexamples described herein.

1. A garment, comprising: an upper portion having a lower fastenerattached thereto, the upper portion having first and second armholeopenings formed therein; a lower portion having an upper fastenerattached thereto, the lower and upper fasteners for selectivelyattaching and detaching the lower portion to and from the upper portion;wherein the lower portion has a first function when attached to theupper portion; wherein, when detached from the upper portion, the lowerportion is transformable into an item having a second function that isdifferent from the first function; wherein the item is a scarf; and,wherein the scarf has an opening formed therein for receiving andholding an end of the scarf in place. 2-3. (canceled)
 4. The garment ofclaim 1, wherein the garment is one of a jacket, a coat, a parka, avest, a tunic, a dress, a sweater, a swim cover-up, and a shirt.
 5. Thegarment of claim 1, wherein the garment has detachable sleeves.
 6. Thegarment of claim 1, wherein each of the lower and upper fasteners is oneor more of a zipper, a snap, a button, a hook and loop fastener, a claspand hook fastener, a buckle, a frog fastener, a toggle, and a lacedgrommet.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the scarf isof one an infinity scarf, a loop through scarf, a winter scarf, a beachscarf, and a headscarf.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The scarf of claim 1, whereinthe lower portion is reversible having a design that is displayed on asurface of the scarf when the lower portion is transformed into thescarf. 11-13. (canceled)
 14. The garment of claim 1, wherein the lowerportion is transformable into the item by using one or more of openings,fasteners, pockets, and straps on an interior or exterior surface of thelower portion.
 15. The garment of claim 1, wherein the lower portion istransformable into the item by undoing one or more fasteners to providethe item with two or more portions.
 16. The garment of claim 1, whereinthe lower portion is transformable into the item by two or more of:fully or partially inverting exterior fabric surfaces of the lowerportion; revealing one or more components of the exterior fabricsurfaces of the lower portion; using one or more of openings, fasteners,pockets, and straps on an interior or exterior surface of the lowerportion; and, undoing one or more fasteners to provide the item with twoor more portions.
 17. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a frontopening extending for at least a portion of a length of the garment. 18.The garment of claim 17, wherein the front opening has a fastener forselectively opening and closing the front opening and wherein thefastener is one or more of a zipper, a snap, a button, a hook and loopfastener, a clasp and hook fastener, a buckle, a frog fastener, atoggle, and a laced grommet.
 19. The garment of claim 1, furthercomprising a hood.
 20. The garment of claim 19, wherein the hood isdetachable.
 21. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is an outergarment.
 22. The garment of claim 21, wherein the upper portion is anupper torso covering portion and wherein the lower portion is a lowertorso covering portion.
 23. The garment of claim 21, wherein the upperportion is a torso covering portion and wherein the lower portion is anupper leg covering portion.
 24. (canceled)
 25. The garment of claim 1,wherein the opening is positioned over a horizontal or approximatelyhorizontal quilting line of the lower portion to thereby at leastpartially conceal the opening.
 26. The garment of claim 1, wherein thelower portion has a pocket formed therein for storing the lower portionwhen detached from the upper portion.
 27. The garment of claim 26,wherein the lower portion has a third function when stored in the pocketthat is different from the first and second functions.
 28. The garmentof claim 27, wherein the third function is that of a travel pillow. 29.The garment of claim 1, wherein the first function of the lower portionis to cover a lower torso or an upper leg of a wearer when worn.
 30. Thegarment of claim 1, wherein the second function of the lower portion isto cover a neck of a wearer when worn.
 31. The garment of claim 1,wherein the opening is for receiving and holding the end of the scarf inplace when the scarf is worn; and, wherein the scarf has a fastener forselectively opening and closing the opening.
 32. The garment of claim25, wherein the quilting line passes through an insulation layer of thelower portion.